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New Zealand property values continued to rise in April to be 4 percent above their peak of late 2007 as Auckland again recorded strong gains, according to state valuer Quotable Value.

National property values increased 1.3 percent in the three months ended April 30 to $431,967, the same pace as in the three months through March. Values have gained 7.1 percent over the past year.

Property values in greater Auckland climbed 12 percent to $628,205 in the latest 12 months and in Christchurch they rose 9.4 percent to $418,829, though growth across all main urban areas was relatively strong, rising 8.8 percent to $495,488.

“The increase in nationwide values is now being driven by all the main centres, not just Auckland and Canterbury,” Kerry Stewart, QV operations manager, says.

“Buyers are showing more optimism and confidence, although are still being careful in their decision making. The exception to this is in parts of Auckland, where demand is so high that there is little opportunity to delay making offers.”

The figures come a day after the Reserve Bank said in its financial stability report that it is preparing to impose limits on high loan-to-value home mortgages, which could pose a significant risk to country’s financial stability.

“Further price escalation will worsen the potential damage that could result from a housing downturn following an economic or financial shock,” governor Graeme Wheeler said yesterday.

The QV figures show Wellington house values were 2 percent higher than a year earlier, and Dunedin property values rose an annual 4.8 percent.